Traveling overhead textile machine cleaner



PHE 2 w58 A. J. LOEPSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER l2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 25, 1964 I NVENTOR.

m m n N s R w o oC n A Ji Tr Dn 5W L AY B 3 8 4 /V/w OG \\,.ws

April 29 A. .1. I OEPSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sem. 25, 1964 INVENTOR.

" ALBERT.Y ,J. f PSINGER C fgf ATTORNEY p 29 1968 A. J. LOEPSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER 12 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Filed Sept. 25, 1964 IOS I NVENTOR Dl R ma w A IOO B Apri 2, 1968 A. J. LOEPSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1964 12 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. ALBERT 2 L QEPSINGER (l, ATTORNEY TEAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER A- J- LOEPSINGER April 2, 1968 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept 25,

8 INVENTOR. ALBERT J.

ATTORNEY APM 29 i9@ A. .1, LoEPslNGr-:R 3,375,539

TRAVELNG OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1964 l2 SheebS-Shee 3' INVENTOR.

'ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER ATTORNEY April 2 1968 A. J. LogPsxNGER l' 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed sept. 25, 1964 12 sheets-sheet, v l v INVENTQR. ALBERTv J. LOEPSINGER pl 2, 1963 A. .1. L oEPslNGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER l2 Sheets-Sheet a Filed Sept. 25, 1964 INVENTOR.

ALBERT Y J. LOEPSNGER (y v ATTORNEY A. J. LOEPSINGER TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1964 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 lillllll INVENTR. ALBERT 1. LoEPsmc-:ER

ATTORN Y pri 2, E968 A. J. LoL-:PSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1964 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 2O F G. 2l 284 INVENTR.

ALBERT J. EPSINGER ATTORNEY pr 2, E963 A. .1. LOEPSINGER TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER n Fi l ed Sept 25, 1964 l172 Sheets-Sheet l 1 llllmln :Islnllllnnll' INVENTOE ALBERT J. I OEPSINGER BY /l kfw r /l/ C ATTORN pr 2, 1968 A. J. LOEPSINGER 3,375,539

TRAVELING OVERHEAD TEXTILE MACHINE CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1964 l2 Sheets-Sheet l2 Y Il I g 2e@ BIG INVENTOR.

ALBERT LOEPSINGER BY y ATTORNEY United States Patent iiiice 3,375,539- Patented Apr. 2, 1968 This invention relates to improvements in cleaners for textile machines.

More particularly, it has to do with cleaning equipment which provides a source of air pressure in the region generally above a textile machine which directs a stream of air from such source downwardly on the surfaces of such machines and on the textile being processed thereby f and `which repetitively sweeps the stream from this particular source across the textile machine in only one direction.

Stated another way, this invention has to do with the repetitive application of air streams to a row of textile machines along parallel overlapping paths which sweep in the same direction and in each of which there is no component of movement in the opposite direction.

In the past there have been many attempts to prevent the accumulation of lint and ily on textile machines during their operation. In the case of textile looms this problem has been particularly serious because of the delicate nature of the stop motions employed on such looms. These stop motions are so devised that when a textile strand breaks the loom automatically stops, and the construction of these stop motions is such that if they are engaged by a stream of air which is of too high velocity or which is of modest velocity but is applied to the stop motions for too long the stop motions will operate and shut the loom off even though no strand has broken. On the other hand, a stream of air which is of such low velocity that it does not disturb the'stop motion does not apply enough air to the loom to achieve the degree of cleaning which makes the investment in the cleaning equipment worth while.

The most successful solution of this dilemma has been a loom cleaning device which is mounted on an overhead track and moves over the loom, for example, along each row of such machines in a textile weave shed, which provides a downwardly directed stream of air of considerable velocity and volume and which rotates this stream at such a rapid rate relative to its motion along the track that a curtate cycloid is traced on the plane of the yarns being woven by the loom. With such a device it has been found that the -air velocity can be made suiciently high to achieve a satisfactory cleaning without disturbing the stop motion. 1

This kind of equipment has been very successful in the recent past and has been found to be applicable to looms weaving many different kinds of textile fabrics under many different weave room conditions.

However, one diiiiculty has been the relatively rapid change in direction of the sweeping air on the surface of the warp strands. This change in direction has been necessary because the width of the portion of the row covered by the curtate cycloid is not great (for example, the distance from the whip roll or the cloth roll to the harness) with the result that when all of the air is directed onto the loom the radius of curvature of of the path is short and there is no urging of the lint in any particular direction. f

l have discovered that one of the principal advantages of the rotating nozzle cleaners, namely the high speed and vibration-free movement of the air discharge nozzle, can lbe retainedand at the same time the pattern of the stream with respect to the textile machine can be converted to a generally non-reversing movement by providing sweeping paths which have beginnings and endings at the edges of the portions of the row to be cleanedand in which the air discharge between the ending ofone path and the beginning of another is either completely stopped or greatly reduced.

I have also discovered that by thus altering the discharging air stream at the beginnings and endings of each sweep a pulsating eiect is created which is more pronounced than the mere continuous sweeping of a steady stream and that this pulsating eect contributes to the cleaning action.

In general, a textile machine cleaner in accordance with my invention may comprise a source of air pressure above the textile machine and movable therealong preferably along the line of a row of such machines, a chamber supplied by such source and having one side presented downwardly toward the textile machines, an opening in the downwardly presented side, and a shutter member rotating continuously in one direction and changing the character of the opening in such a way that the air stream issuing therefrom has a beginning, then sweeps across `a portion of the textile machine row in one direction without reversing upon itself and at the end of this portion has an ending. 1

The advantages of this improved equipment are numerous. First of all with respect to the equipment the sweeping action of the air stream is achieved by a shutter member which has a continuous rotation in one direction, as distinguished from a reciprocating motion, with the result that relatively high rates of sweeping movement are attainable without difficult vibration problems.

In addition, any number of air streams can be produced easily in rapid succession by employing a plurality of discharge openings in the rotating shutter member, and similarly the air streams can easily have any particular configuration by merely suitably shaping these discharge openings. This has the advantage of enabling a variation in the air action if desired. Also variations in the direction of stream sweep are possible while still maintaining an overlapping relationship.

Another advantage is the provision of a definite be ginning and ending to lthe air stream path which results in a pulsing action of the air stream particularly at the edges of the area to be cleaned. This pulsing action is enhanced by the pressure changes produced in the chamber by sudden alteration of the character of the stream, for example, by the opening and closing of the opening or nozzle. If one rotating shutter member has several openings one of which is discharging while another is being closed or opened the stream from the opening is effected somewhat by this opening or closing action.

Another advantage of this kind of application of air is that it lends itself to easy adjustment of the width of the row portion over which the air streams are applied.

An object is to provide a novel cleaner which is intended for use along a row of textle machines, which has an air pressure chamber adapted to be located above the row and to move therealong and which has associated with the chamber a member rotating continuously in one direction and having a discharge opening releasing from the chamber air streams which sweep across the row during a portion of the member rotation.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of the kind described in which the chamber has an elongated opening and in which the member has a plurality of shorter discharge openings therein which register with and lmove along said elongated opening during member rotation.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of the kind described in which the pressure chamber is4 a cylindrical housing having afan therein and in which the rotating member is a cylindrical wall located adjacent the housing.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of the kind described in which the axis of the cylindrical housing is at an angle of substantially less than 90 to the longitudinal axis of the row.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of the kind described in which the cylindrical wall has nozzle ducts extending radially outwardly from the openings therein.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of the kind described in -which more than one discharge opening is registered with the elongated chamber opening at one time.

Another object is to provide a textile machine row cleaner which has an air pressure chamber adapted to be located above the row and to move therealong and which has associated with the chamber a member rotating continuously in one direction and having at least one discharge opening releasing air from the chamber, the rotating member having vanes over which air passes to achieve the member rotation.

Another object is to provide a cleaner in which air streams are directed toward the row of textile machines during a portion of the rotation of the member and in which the air streams are blocked or at least interfered with during other portions of the rotation.

Another object is to provide an improved textile machine cleaner in which the paths of sweep of the air streams with respect to the row may be varied.

Another object is to provide an improved textile machine cleaner which particularly suitable for cleaning looms, which is inexpensive, eflicient and easy to operate and repair.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The best mode in which it has been contemplated applying the principles of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, but these are to be deemed primarily illustrative, for it is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims whatever of patentable novelty exists in the invention disclosed.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partly sectioned side elevation view, taken'on line 1-1 of FIG. 2, of one embodiment of a textile machine cleaner according to the present apparatus invention and which can be used to practice the present t method invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation View taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan elevation view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the air pressure chambers of FIGS, l-3, with parts broken away and sectioned for a clearer showing of the chamber interior;

FIGURE 4A is a fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 4, but showing a possible moditication of the elongated chamber slot;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 showing its relation to a textile loom during its operation and particularly showing the way in which the air streams engage the loom parts;

FIGURE 6 is a view like FIG. 4 but showing an embodiment having the shutter member inside the chamber;

FIGURES 7-11 are diagrammatic end elevation views of the air pressure chamber of FIGS. l-4 in its operating relation to a textile loom, as in FIG. 5, and showing the progression of the air streams with the lapse of time during operation of the cleaner;

FIGURE 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic top plan view of the loom of FIGS. 7-11 with one set of air streams which go from left to right and are sectioned at various levels as indicated in FIG. 9 with a second set of air streams which go from right to left and are sectioned at the same levels as also indicated in FIG.` 9;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus invention which shows that the air pressure need not be generated in the chamber from which the streams are discharged, that the nozzle member may be driven by air flow and that the direction of sweep of the air streams relative to the track may be adjusted;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus invention which shows a variation in the arrangement of FIG. 13;1

FIGURE 15 is a side elevation view of still another` embodiment of the invention (taken on line 15-15 0f FIG. 16) in which the sweeping of the air streams in one direction is achieved by-blocking the discharge of a rotating nozzle during a part of the rotation;

FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectioned plan view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 15

FIGURE 17 is a diagrammatic perspective showing the sweeping pattern over a horizontal loom surface which can be achieved by one adjustment of the apparatus of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIGURE 18 is a view like FIG. .17, but showing the sweeping pattern which can be achieved by another adjustment of the apparatus of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus invention in which the nozzle has a plurality of discharge openings each of which is blocked over a portion of its movement;

FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectioned side elevation view of the nozzle of FIG. 19;

FIGURE 21 is a cross-sectioned end elevation view taken on line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIGURE 22 is a view like FIGS. 17 and 18 but showing the pattern produced by the apparatus of FIG. 19.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, this embodiment of the apparatus invention is essentially an air blower unit mounted for movement along an electrified track 10 which is suspended from a ceiling (not shown) by rods 12 and which is in the form of an upright channel with conductor bars 13 mounted on the channel web 14 between the flanges 15 and 16 thereof and insulated from the channel material by insulation member 17. The rods 12 have their lower ends threaded `into the center of the upper channel ange 15.

The movable blower unitis preferably located below the track 10, for example, by being suspended from ver.n tically disposed plates 18 arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the track. These plates carry wheels 20 :at their upper ends and are securedto a frame platform 22 at their lower ends. The plates 18 and wheels 20 are so Varranged with respect to the upperchannel flange 15 and the rods:

12 connected thereto that they pass on either side of the latter as the unit moves along the track. The two plates 18 which are adjacent the conductor bars 13 carry brushes 24 engaging these bars and electrically connected by short, cables 25 and 26 to motors 27 and 28, respectively. MotorY 27 is mounted on a second frame platform `30 `se- -cured to frame platform 22 and has its drive shaft` 31 oriented to drive the fans and nozzle members which are part of the `blower unit and which will be described presently in detail.` Motor 28 is mounted on the frame platform 22 and is connected to a reducing gear unit 32 which is in turnconnected to a shaft 33 by a V-belt drive 34. The shaft 33 and reducing gear unit 32 are provided with pulleys 35 and 36, respectively, which form parts of this Vbelt`drive. The shaft 33 is journall'ed in bearings 37 which are mounted on the frame platform 22 and which carry a friction wheel 38engaging the underside of the lower channel ange 16.

In addition to carrying the -motor 27 the second frame platform 30 has a pair of depending wall portions 30a and 3% which are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trackand extend down acrossthe opposite ends of motor 27. Secured to the outer sidesof` these wall portions are narrow cylindrical chambers 40 which are suiciently alike in construction and operation so that a description of one and its associated equipment will suffice for both. To simplify understanding of `such chambers and equlpment some members which would in practice be formed in several pieces (for assembly purposes) have been shown as one piece, and the precise means by which some parts are secured together is not indicated. APersons skilled in this art will understand the expedients required for an actual construction.

The cylindrical chamber 40 is enclosed by a shutter member 44 having a V-belt pulley 46 concentrically secured to its outer surface. This pulley is provided with a bearing which receives the outer end of a stub shaft 48 which has its inner end concentrically and ixedly mounted on the circular end wall 50 of the chamber 40. The pulley 46 includes a bearing for the shaft 48 and is driven from motor 27 through a Ibelt 54, pulley 56, shaft 58, gear reducing and reversing unit 60, shaft 61, pulley 62, belt 64, and pulley 65 mounted on the motor drive shaft 31. The cylindrical shutter member 44 is outside the chamber 40 and in close proximity thereto and has its inner end partially closed by a wall 66 which has a large central opening 68. This opening permits passage therethrough of a motor drive shaft 31 to the interior of the chamber 40 and also permits ingress of air which is drawn into the chamber 40 by a fan 72 carried on the motor drive shaft. The end wall 73 of the chamber 40 is provided with its own opening 74 to accommodate the drive shaft and admit the air. An air guide 76 is mounted inside the chamber 40 between the end walls 50 and 73 and guides the air in a manner which will be described. The fan 72 is of the so-called squirrel cage type and is off-set from the axis of the cylindrical chamber 40 so that with the air guide 76 an expanding air passage 78 (see FIG. 2) is provided which extends from the fan around to the bottom of the chamber. At this latter location there is in the cylindrical chamber a slot 80 with such an arcuate length that air flowing radially from this slot encompasses the width of the row of textile machines along which the cleaner is moving. For example, in the case of a row of looms the arcuate length of the slot 80 would be such that air emitted therefrom would engage the loom from the warp roll to the cloth roll.

However, in the intended mode of operation of the unit, air pressurized in the chamber 40 by the fan 72 does not ow from the entire slot 80 at the same time. Instead it is discharged selectively from nozzle openings S2 which are located in the periphery of the rotating outer shutter member 44 and which register with and move along the slot 80 during certain portions of the shutter member rotation.

For simplicity of illustration the clearances between the fan 72, air guide 76, shutter member 44, and chamber housing 40 are exaggerated, and similarly the thicknesses of the various parts are shown somewhat greater than they would be in practice. It will be understood that these clearances should be small enough to hold leakage of air between the relatively moving parts to a minimum. In addition to small clearances some kind of seals such as felt rings 83 or flaps could Ibe employed as those skilled in this art will readily understand. i

The air under pressure at the lower end of the air passage 78 passes from the chamber primarily through one of the openings 82 which is moving along the slot 80. In the particular embodiment of FIG. l the cylindrical shutter member 44 has a plurality of such openings 82, and they are so spaced that as one passes beyond the end of the slot 80 another comes into register at the other end. It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of nozzles could be used.

The shaft 58 which drives the shutter 44 is journalled in a bearing 84 and passes through a suitable opening 30e in the frame platform wall portion 30a. It also passes through another opening 30d in another vertical wall portion 30e. This latter portion serves to support a platform section 301 carrying the gear reducing and reversing unit 60. Another shaft 85 extends `from this unit and is 6 the equivalent of shaft 58 but is rotated in the opposite direction.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a sweeping discharge of the air streams is achieved in which the paths traced on the machines from one chamber 40 all move in one general direction across the row. This sets up a general air movement in this direction which is not modified by any opposite air movement in the immediate vicinity. The air movement set up by the other chamber 40 is in the opposite direction but it is spaced away from this air movement and not in the vicinity of it. Also it will be seen that in this embodiment the air pressure is generated immediately within the chamber from which it is discharged with the result that no long ductwork is employed to convey the pressurized air to the point of its discharge.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 a pair of pressure chambers 40 are used, one at either end of the motor. It is not essential to the invention that two such chambers be used, and it is important that there be a substantial space between the paths where they sweep in opposite directions. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 when the unit moves over a row of looms one chamber discharges streams which sweep from warp roll to cloth roll and the other chamber discharges streams which sweep from cloth roll to warp roll. This is illustrated particularly well in FIG. 5 where the track 10 is shown disposed above a loom 86 having a cloth roll 8S and a warp roll 90 and where the track is parallel to the harness 92. One chamber 40 is in advance of the other, as the unit moves in the direction of the arrow 94, and instantaneous positions and configurations of the air streams are shown in the dot-dash lines. Air streams 96 and 97 have issued from the lead chamber. Air streams 98 and 99 have issued from the rear chamber 40.

FIGURE 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the shutter member 100 is on the inside of the chamber 102 and closely adjacent thereto. This means that the shutter member openings 104 cannot be provided with extending nozzles like those in the other embodiments. However, in some instances such nozzles can be dispensed with. Location of the shutter member 100 inside the chamber 102 necessitates certain other changes in the structure as well. The shutter member is pivoted on a shaft 106 carried on a frame portion 108 which is located on the side of the chamber 102 opposite the motor 110. The bearing for this pivot may be located within a pulley 112 secured to the shutter and driven by a belt 114 which is in turn driven by a pulley 116 carried onshaft 118 mounted on bearing 120 secured to a frame member 121 carrying the chamber 102. This shaft 118 is driven by gear reducing and reversing unit 122 which has a pulley 124 driven by a belt 126 from a pulley 128 on the drive shaft 130 of motor 110. The drive shaft 130 carries at its end the fan 132 which is actually inside the internal shutter member 100. However, this shutter member must be provided with a large opening 134 to accommodate the shaft 130 and the air guide 136 is secured to the chamber end Wall 13S of chamber 102 which is in turn mounted on frame member 121.

FIGS. 7-ll are diagrammatic end elevation views further showing the air stream pattern which is achieved from the equipment of FIGS. l-5. The general outline of the loom shows particularly well the generally horizontal plane 152 of the warp strands 154 and cloth 156, while the outlines of the air streams 96 and 97 (in FIG. 7) issuing from the nozzles 82 show the effect of the ends of the elongated slot 80 on the initiation and termination of these streams. The arrows 162 show the direction of air movement within the air stream outlines and although obstacles are encountered when the air reaches the plane of the Warp strands and cloth, some air penetrates to lower regions, as indicated by the stream outlines, and cleans these regions.

An example of relative speeds of rotation and movement which work well using the equipment of FIGS. 1-5

are as follows: rotation of shutter sleeve, 100 rpm.; speed of unit along the track, 100 feet per minute; and air velocity at discharge nozzles 82, 2400 feet per minute. With these values the top plan view of the loom and streams is substantially as shown in FIG. 12 which illustrates the instantaneous shape of the air streams, but does not show the cleaner itself. The streams are hori zontally sectioned at the levels shown in FIG. 9 to assist in showing the shapes of the streams. Both the forward streams 96 and 97 and the rearward streams 98 and 99 are shown in FIG. 9. In the other similar FIGURES (7, 8, 10 and 11) rearward streams are omitted to avoid confusing the showing. In FIG. 9 levels at which the streams 96, 97, 98 and 99 are sectioned are indicated by the planes A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, and in FIG. 12 the outlines of the streams at these levels are indicated by the letters a, b, c, d, e, f and g. These outlines are not intended to represent the exact shape of the stream. Obviously the shape will be elected by turbulence and the like. The outlines do, however, give an idea of the shape which will obtain.

FIGURE 13 is an embodiment in which the air pressure is generated in a central fan housing 180 having a pair of duets 182 and 184 extending therefrom in opposite directions and terminating in horizontal cylindrical sections 186 and 188. Cup members 198 and 192 fit over the cylindrical sections and rotate with respect thereto on stub shafts 194 secured to the sections. Since the arrangement of the cylindrical section 186 and cup member 190 is the same as for the section 188 and cup member 192, a description of the former will suffice for both. The stub shaft 194 is iixedly mounted on a cross piece 196 secured across the end of section 186, and the cup member 190 has a bearing 198 centrally mounted on its end wall 200 to provide free rotation. The clearances between the cup member 190 and section 186 are as small as possible to prevent leakage of air without hindering rotation. At the bottom side of the section 186 the end is cut away as at 202 to form an elongated slot with the member end wall 200. The cylindrical side Wall of the cup member 190 is provided with a plurality of radially extending nozzles 206 located so that as the cup member turns they come into alignment with the slot 202.

The cup member is rotated in this embodiment of FIG. 13 by vanes 208 integrally formed in the end wall 200. A small amount of air from the duct 186 passes over these vanes and causes the desired rotation. The remainder of the air is discharged downwardly through the slot 202 and nozzles 206.

The lower frame assembly 210 in the embodiment of FIG. 13 is adjustably pivotally connected to the upper frame assembly 212 at 214 so that the motor 216, fan housing 180, ducts 182 and 184 and cup members 190 and 192 can be swung around as a unit within a range of positions and thereby change the angle which the air stream sweeps make with the row of textile machines. In the other respects the blower unit is substantially the same as in FIGS. 1-5.

FIGURE 14 is another chamber and shutter member arrangement like that of FIG. 13 but shows the openings 220 in the shutter-sleeve 222 need not be round, or all the same shape, or provided with extending nozzles.

FIGURES 15 and 16 show that the rotating shutter member 230 can turn on other than a horizontal axis. In this embodiment the rotating member is a pivoted nozzle 230 driven around a vertical axis 232 by propeller vanes 234 secured across the inlet end 236 of the nozzle. The center of the propeller assembly carries a bearing 238 which receives a short shaft 240 mounted in the center of a cross piece 242 extending across the outlet end of a vertical duct 244. The nozzle is tipped from the axis 232 by angle N so that the stream issuing from it endeavors to trace a cone-shaped gure in the air space between the unit and the textile machine. However, over a portion of its rotation this stream is prevented from traveling in the 8 direction determined by the nozzle by a plate assembly 248 secured to the fixed vertical duct 244 yby a strut 251) and clamp 252. rIhe result of this construction is that the stream sweeps in a curved path which is essentially in extent, which is essentially one half of the cone-shaped figure and which does not reverse upon itself as it sweeps 1 across the .row of machines. This latter feature is important because by far the best results can be expected when the air streams always sweep in one general direction to set up a general draft without reversals of direction at the sides of the row.

The plate assembly 248 may be differently positioned around the path of the stream to block a different segment of the stream cone. This is done by adjusting the clamp 252 on the duct 244. In this way the overlapping arcuate paths of engagement of the stream against the textile ma-` chine may progress obliquely with travel of the cleaner. For example, FIG. 17 shows that the chords 260 of the arcuate paths 262 may be at right angles to the direction t 264 of cleaner movement. These paths are shown having a widths P and center lines Q. The chords 260 are drawn through the ends of the center lines. FIG. 18 shows that by the adjustment referred to these chords may be at some other angle to the direction 266. While the chords are preferably at right angles to this direction of cleaner travel as in FIG. 17, another angle may be used as shown I in FIG. 18, with the ends of the air stream still originating and terminating at the sides of the row. This last arrangement is achieved by loosening the clamp 252 and rotating the plate assembly somewhat. The ends of the streams still lie substantially at the sides of the row of textile machines. In -both FIGS. 17 and 18 the general plane of the loom warp is indicated at 272. The paths shown are not consecutive paths because consecutive paths would overlap to such an extent that the paths and chords would not be clearly distinguishable. Between the paths actually shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 there would be many more, each one substantially overlapping the one which came before it.

The plate assembly 248 may also be adjusted to block more than 180 of the air cone. This is done by having two arcuate plates 273 and 274 pivoted to strut 250 and nozzle 230 at axis 232 and by having a clamping bolt 275 mounted on strut 250 and passing through arcuate slots 276 and 277 in plates 273 and 274, respectively. Tightening the nut 275a the plates 273 and 274 are held in place with respect to each other and with respect to strut 250. f

FIGURE 19 -is a perspective view of still another embodiment showing how a rotating nozzle structure similar to that of FIGS. 15 and 16 can produce arcuate sweeps from one side of a row of textile machines to the other by substantial interference with the ow of air at the interior of the nozzle. FIGURES 20 and 21 are other views of this embodiment. More particularly, air under pressure -is brought down a vertical duct 280 from a pressure source, not shown. This duct has across its lower end 1 a strut 282 which serves as a support for the upper end i of a vertical shaft 284 pivotally carrying a Y-shaped nozzle 286 at its lower end 287 and which has a set of pro-` peller blades 288. The nozzle 286 has a pair of discharge branches 290 and 292 disposed 180 apart and both angled by the same amount (angle R) from the axis 294 of the shaft 284 and duct 280. The two nozzle branches join in a portion having an opening 296 to loosely receive the lower end of duct 280. Preferably this opening has an upstanding outer lip 298 to hinder the escape of air from this joint. The selectivity of the discharge is achieved in this case by extension 300 and 302 which are on the lower end of the duct 280 and which depend into the nozzle member opening 296 to substantially block the air discharge from the nozzle branches when the nozzle mem-ber is in certain positions.

FIGURE 22 is a view like FIGS. 17 and 18 with a Y of FIGS. 19, 20, and 21. The blocking is not a complete shut off when the nozzle member has its branches directed toward the sides of the row of textile machines, but it is suicient to so reduce the air reaching these regions 306, that the sweeping action at 308 or 310 is primarily in one direction 312 or 314, and there is a substantial space 316 measured along the row between the end of one sweep in one direction across the row and the beginning of the next sweep in the opposite direction across the row.

T-he contribution here is a device which involve application of overlapping sweeps of an air stream over a surface or structure of limited width. One unique feature is the sudden turning on, or substantial increasing, of the air stream at the beginning of each sweep and the sudden turning off or substantial decreasing of the air stream at the end of each sweep. This produces a general air movement across the surface and the change in the air stream has a pulsating effect n the air at these ends of the sweeps. The sweeping action continues in the same general direction and does not reverse upon itself, at least until it has traversed a space (like 316) along the row. In some embodiments a new set of sweeps takes place in the opposite direction at a substantial distance (316) from the first set.

It is believed that the superior cleaning of this invention is at least in part the result of producing a sweeping action which is not hindered lby an air stream (the same or different one) moving in an immediately adjacent region in a substantially diierent direction. If two sets of sweeps are to be used, and they sweep across in opposite directions, they are spaced apart substantially so that they do not interfer with each other.

Although it is preferred to have the air streams sweep uninterruptedly all the way across the row of machines, it will be understood that interruption in these sweeps does not remove operation from the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 4A shows that instead of a continuous elongated slot 80 the cylindrical chamber 320 may have a series of separate openings 322 side by side. The effect of this will be a pulsating sweep even over the area to be cleaned which is advantageous in some cases.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning a row Iof textile machines, said apparatus comprising:

(I) a hollow housing which:

(A) is located above said row of machines, (B) is movable along said row, (C) has a wall portion which:

(1) is downwardly presented,

(2) has an elongated slot,

(II) means for providing air under pressure in the interior of said housing,

(III) a hollow cylindrical sleeve which:

(A) lies adjacent to said housing wall portion, (B) has its axis of revolution disposed generally horizontally, (C) rotates with respect to said housing about said axis, (D) has a discharge opening which:

(l) registers with said housing slot over a portion of said sleeve rotation, (2) receives moving air from said housing slot, (3) `discharges said moving air downwardly in the form of a stream,

(IV) means for rotating said sleeve continuously in one direction:

10 (A) to move said sleeve opening with respect to said housing slot, (B) to sweep said air stream over said row in one direction, whereby said air stream is swept over one part of said row of textile machines when said sleeve is rotated through one revolution and is swept over an adjacent part when said sleeve is rotated through the next revolution, and whereby said stream is blocked by said housing over certain portions of said sleeve rotation to define a beginning and an end to each sweep.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said housing is also cylindrical and has its axis substantially coincidental with said sleeve axis and in which the cylindrical walls of said sleeve are closely adjacent to said housing wall portion.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said cylindrical sleeve is located outside said housing.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which a fan is located within said housing and in which said housing has end 'walls extending radially inwardly with respect to said sleeve axis.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said fan rotates on an axis parallel to but off-set from the axis of said sleeve, in which one of sai-d housing end walls has an air intake opening, and in which there are means located within said housing for guiding said air from said fan to the region of said slot.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said fan is of the squirrel cage type, in which the periphery of said fan is closely adjacent the housing wall at one point, and in which the fan and air-guiding means form an air path from said point to said slot which air path has a constantly increasing cross-sectional area.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said sleeve opening is provided with a nozzle extending radially outwardly therefrom.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said sleeve has la plurality of discharge openings spaced apart around the circumference of said sleeve.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which at least one of said sleeve openings in provided with a nozzle extending radially outwardly therefrom.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for rotating said sleeve is a mechanical drive train connected to said sleeve.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for rotating said sleeve is at least one surface which is connected to said sleeve, which is spaced radially from said axis, over which air moves, and which is angularly presented to air moving parallel to said axis.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which said surface is a reaction outlet.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said sleeve is located inside said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 680,280 8/1901 Roesser. 2,845,303 7/1958 King 15--312 X 2,981,644 4/1961 Fain 15-312 X FOREIGN PATENTS 824,022 11/ 1959 Great Britain.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner, 

1. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A ROW OF TEXTILE MACHINES, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (I) A HOLLOW HOUSING WHICH: (A) IS LOCATED ABOVE SAID ROW OF MACHINES, (B) IS MOVABLE ALONG SAID ROW, (C) HAS A WALL PORTION WHICH: (1) IS DOWNWARDLY PRESENTED, (2) HAS AN ELONGATED SLOT, (II) MEANS FOR PROVIDING AIR UNDER PRESSURE IN THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING, (III) A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE WHICH: (A) LIES ADJACENT TO SAID HOUSING WALL PORTION, (B) HAS ITS AXIS OF REVOLUTION DISPOSED GENRALLY HORIZONTALLY, (C) ROTATES WITH RESPECT TO SAID HOUSING ABOUT SAID AXIS, (D) HAS A DISCHARGE OPENING WHICH: (1) REGISTERS WITH SAID HOUSING SLOT OVER A PORTION OF SAID SLEEVE ROTATION, (2) RECEIVES MOVING AIR FROM SAID HOUSING SLOT, (3) DISCHARGES SAID MOVING AIR DOWNWARDLY IN THE FORM OF A STREAM, (IV) MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SLEEVE CONTINUOUSLY IN ONE DIRECTION: (A) TO MOVE SAID SLEEVE OPENING WITH RESPECT TO SAID HOUSING SLOT, (B) TO SWEEP SAID AIR STREAM OVER SAID ROW IN ONE DIRECTION, WHEREBY SAID AIR STREAM IS SWEPT OVER ONE PART OF SAID ROW OF TEXTILE MACHINES WHEN SAID SLEEVE IS ROTATED THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION AND IS SWEPT OVER AND ADJACENT PART WHEN SAID SLEEVE IS ROTATED THROUGH THE NEXT REVOLUTION, AND WHEREBY SAID STREAM IS BLOCKED BY SAID HOUSING OVER CERTAIN PORTIONS OF SAID SLEEVE ROTATION TO DEFINE A BEGINNING AND AN END TO EACH SWEEP. 